Giving wrong name sends molester to prison

COLDWATER — Ryan Terry punched the court room walls as he was taken away Monday.

He had asked Branch County Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady for work release. Instead, he got 14 to 24 months in prison for giving police a wrong name when approached May 11 near the Rodeway Inn in Coldwater.

Terry, 26, who said he was homeless, pleaded guilty to obstructing officers. On the request for work release, O’Grady said, "I’m a circuit judge not Santa Claus."

The Branch County Probation Department had recommended county jail time for Terry.

The judge said he had "great hesitancy" following the recommendation because Terry was a convicted child molester who ran from his probation in Washington State. He is wanted in Elkhart County, Ind. for failing to register as a sex offender — among other charges.

Terry ran from officers in May when they came to arrest a female parolee he was hanging out with at the motel. As he came from the area of the Oakgrove Cemetery, Terry gave officers his brother's name when he was asked to identify himself.

The judge wanted to know how Terry ended up in Branch County. Terry said he came "up here to cut trees."

He added, "I need drug treatment to break the cycle."

Officers found meth residue on a straw in Terry's possession. He admitted using the drug.